Coin-detector for coin-controlled apparatus



(No Model.) Y. l A. L. PRATT.

' GOINDETEGTOR FOR GOIN GONTROLLED-APPARATUS.

Patented MayZ, 1896.

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. ARTHUR L. PRATT, or KALAMAzoo, MICHIGAN.

COIN-DETECTOR FOR COIN-CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,927, dated May 2e, 189e.

Serial No. 584,998. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

.Be it known that I, ARTHUR L. PRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kala-v mazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Coin-Detector for Coin-Oontrolled Apparatus, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to that part of a coin-controlled apparatus which receives and directs the coins into the apparatus, and may be used in connection with any such device.

The especial object of the invention is to prevent the introduction of anybut the proper coins or checks or whatever is employed. In some instances it is money, like nickels or pieces of other value, and then it may be checks designed for the purpose. That is, to prevent their being introduced into the detector without being seen or without failing to p ass on into the coin-controlled apparatus with which the detector happens to be employed.

Other Objects will appear in the below-detailed description and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of 'this speciiication, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the detector in the position as when in use; Fig. 2, the same with the front plate removed, showing the interior; Fig. 3, aplan of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a section on line d CL in Fig. 1, looking from a point at the right; and Fig. 5, a section on line c c in Fig. 1, looking from a point at the right.

Referring to the parts of the drawings pointed out by numerals, 6 is the front plate and '7 the back plate of the detector, the same being fastened together by screws, as in Figs. 1 and 3. The back plate 7 is provided with a vertical groove 8 between the two ends of the detector, preferably at one side of the center, said groove or channel 8 being in an upper extension 9 and extending down through to the lower edge of the plate, Figs. 2 and 4. The back plate is also provided with a longitudinal and horizontallylocated channel 11, which starts from the vertical channel 8 and communicates with it, and curving down at the other end and ending at the lower edge where the coins 12 drop from the detector into the coin-controlled apparatus. (Not here shown.) The lower dotted coin 12 at left of Fig. 2 shows the idea. The upper end of the channel 8 forms the mouth of the detector and receives the c oins, as the dotted coin 12 at the upper opening in the upper extension 9 indicates in Fig. 2. In front of the channel 11 is a `glass plate 13, 'in front of the coins 12 in the horizontal channel 11, and this glass plate shows through an elongated slot 1l in the front plate 6, which front plate fits against the back plate, as in Figs. 1, 3, Il, and 5.

Back of the coins 12 are two springs 1G and 17, one ateach end of the channel 11, said springs being located in recesses in the back plates, as at 1S in Figs. 2 and 5. These springspress out against the iirst and last coins 12 in the channel 11 and prevent the first or right-hand one from workin g back and the last or left-hand one from prematurely dropping out of the channel 11.

In the right-hand end of the back plate is a recess containing a slide 19, which slide is exposed to view through a slot 2O in the front plate 6. This slide is provided with a [ingerhole 21 and is held back to place bya spring 22, against the resistance of which spring the s'lide is moved forward with the finger to force the coinsl2 into the channel 11 aft-er they fall to the position of coin 12 at 24. A notch in the slide 19 comes in contact with ashoulder 25 and is thus Aprevented from being forced too far to the left. The spring 22 of course brings the slide back toits normal position, as in Fig. 2. The slide projects a little into the vertical channel, so as to prevent coins of the regulation standard from falling down through said slot and going into a compartment of condemned coins connected with the coin-controlled apparatus, said compartment not being here shown; but too small.

coins will pass by this end of the slide and go into said compartment of condemned coins. In the back of the Vertical channel S is an opening narrower than the channel, so that coins too small will fall back through said opening. (Shown at 2G, Figs. 2 and 4.) They are caused to do this for the reason it will be noticed that the detector stands a little slant-4 ing backward, so the small coins fall out through the slot 26 by gravity. Back of this slot is a closure 27, which leads down into the compartment mentioned for condemned coins. This slot and closure may be used or IOO not. If not, the falling of the smaller coins down through the lower end of the vertical slot S would be depended upon, as stated; but when used the closure 27 also forms a back brace to the plates 6 and '7. In the operation the operator puts a coin in the mouth of channel 8, when it falls to the position at 24. Then with the finger, as stated, it is forced along into the channel ll by slide 19, as stated, and if it is not a proper coin, although of proper size to escape falling through the slot 26, it can be detected through the glass 13. p

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A coin-detector having the vertical channel and the communicating horizontal channel, a glass front to the horizontal channel, and aslide for forcing the coins from the vertical channel into the horizontal channel, substantially as set forth.

2. A coin-detector having the vertical channel and the communicating horizontal channel, a glass front to the horizontal channel, and a slide having its end extending a little into the vertical channel as stated, and a spring for bringing the slide back to its normal position, substantially as set forth.

3. A coin-detector having the vertical channel and the communicating horizontal channel, a glass front to the latter channel, springs in the latter channel for pressing out the first and last coin therein, and a slide for forcing the coins from the vertical channel into the horizontal channel, substantially as set forth.

4. A coin-detector having the vertical channel and the communicating horizontal channel, a glass front for the latter channel, the vertical being provided with a slot narrower than the channel, and a slide for forcing the coins into the horizontal channel, substantially as set forth.

5. A coin-detector having the vertical channel provided with the narrower slot, a closure back of said slot, a horizontal channel com munieatin g with the vertical slot, a glass front to the horizontal channel, and a slide for forcing the coins into the horizontal channel, substantially as set forth.

6. A coin-detector, comprising the back and front plates, a vertical channel and a communicating horizontal channel, springs in the latter channel to press out the first and last coins against the glass front, a glass front to said channel, the vertical channel being provided with a narrower slot a closure to said slot, and a spring-actuated slide projecting into the vertical channel, and adapted to force the coins into the horizontal channel, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of the foregoing l have hercunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR L. PRATT. lVitnesses:

LUCIUs C. WEST, LEVI F. COX.. 

